BACK IN THE USA

After a few somewhat relaxing days in Ensenada, we pushed off for San Diego, arriving Saturday evening, May 7.  The passage between Mexico and the US was uneventful until we were approaching Point Loma, just outside San Diego's entrance.  That’s when we realized we didn’t have our customs documents together and we were arriving into the States by boat for the first time in 2.5 years!  A bit of scrambling but we got it all together before we docked at the Border Security mandatory dock. The officials checked us in but suggested we stay close to the marina until we collected our cruising permit paperwork on Monday morning.  So we stayed close to the marina, venturing out for park walks and a nice Mother’s Day lunch where I contemplated  the day without being able to see or phone my Mom, who passed away March 19, 2016. I still miss everyday but she’s with us in spirit…

Over the weekend we stayed at the Municipal Police Docks, which are situated at the very end of Shelter Island.  It seems everyone is supposed to have vehicles! There are many luxurious waterfront hotels and the park promenade, which makes the 40 minute walk to the closest bus and 30 minutes to stores easier to take. It’s either walk or pay for a cab and, let’s face it, we’re cruisers and cheap! Tuesday morning we moved across the harbour to the Southwestern Yacht Club for three nights. Their facilities were the same price as the Police Docks but the building was beautiful and we were invited to use their showers, lounge, restaurant, WIFI and a very classy wood paneled  library, cost was only $46.00 US a night (we avoided the expensive bar and restaurant).

Our boat neighbour

Back in San Diego, 2.5 years after our last visit.

Since their Annual Opening Day was scheduled for May 15th we watched a bunch of retired members working like bees buzzing from one thing to another. They were polishing trophies and dusting photographs, staff set up tents and tables outside, gardeners tweaked their flower beds and boat owners paid others to have their yachts polished and decorated for the weekend. It was a busy place and we were glad to get off the boat and bus to town on a few occasions.

Waterfront trail near Rosecrans area. The street above doesn't have sidewalks.

Southwestern Yacht Club at the end of the path, near
the area where the rich and very rich live.

Nestled amongst the highrises were well maintained older hotels and buildings.

Dozens of marinas in San Diego Bay

A highlight for both of us was discovering the world famous Balboa Park.  I remember visiting the San Diego Zoo in Balboa Park when I was a kid but I didn’t realize that it was also home to 17 museums!  Jim and I bought day passes for $45 US each, which gave us access to any 5 museums. We split our time between the Museum of Man, Museum of Photographic Arts, Science Museum, Automobile Museum and the Aeronautical Museum.

The botanical gardens were in the building behind the pond

Museum of Man

British Invasion at the Automobile Museum

Had a super day and really enjoyed each one we visited.  Perhaps next time we’ll tackle the other 12.

Helicopter Tricia at your service...

Jim explaining how an arch works at the Science Centre

There’s a separate  blog with more photos from each museum.

Jacaranda trees in blossom, so much like cherry trees in Victoria

close up of the blooms

We left San Diego Friday, May 13 (I know!) and arrived at Oceanside, California a few uneventful hours later.  Cruising friends we met in Mexico live in Fallbrook, 40 minutes inland from Oceanside. Tom and Bobbi met through sailing and have been together for many years now.  Tom’s sailboat is a Kelly Peterson 44 named Persistence.  We were both hauled out in the boatyard at San Carlos last December so got to know each other pretty well.

Bobbi's spacious motor home

Spacious side yard led to a park behind Bobbi's pad.

Bobbi lives in a great little two bedroom mobile home with a spacious side yard and a strip of a park directly behind her.  Birds were everywhere, their tunes blending in the breeze. She has a very private side yard with plenty of room for outdoor living.

Tom’s home is in Garberville, California, 11 hours north near the redwood forest.  Lots of driving when they’re not cruising together!  They have perfected the art of having a long distance relationship.  We were invited to overnight with them, which was a real treat, at Bobbi’s home.  We spent hours around the dining table talking and having a wonderful dinner.  Bobbi and I got out for a long walk Sunday morning, taking pictures of the various flowers that caught our eye.

 Bobbie's feathered friend

Who loved peanuts and picked the largest ones out first

One of Bobbie's many hummingbirds comes for a visit

Lots of flower pics in a separate blog entry. Time flew by and before we knew it we were reluctantly hugging goodbye Sunday afternoon.  Tom, who drove me to a mall to provision on Saturday, drove us the 40 minutes back to the marina just before dinner.  We felt very connected to this wonderful couple and certain that, like so many other cruising friends, our paths will cross again for sure.

Until next time...

Tricia and Jim Bowen
S/V Falcon VII
email: tandjbowen13@gmail.com